Mrs. Gladys Evelyn Cook

Obituary For Mrs. Gladys Evelyn Cook

Mrs. Gladys Evelyn Ellerson Cook, lovingly known as “Evelyn,” was born to the union of Dora Hunt and Seoilure Ellerson, Sr., December 2, 1932, in Jackson, Tennessee. Dora later married Frank (TD) Hayes in 1935; and to this union in September 1936, her brother Bobbie (Ptah) G. Hayes was born.

Gladys attended St. Joseph Catholic School until she was 10 years old. Her family then moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she attended Marshall Elementary School and graduated from Summer High School.
In 1952, she moved to Chicago, Illinois, to live with her Aunt Irene. There, she was employed at Alden’s Mail Order House and attended a fashion design school.

On June 12, 1955, Gladys married Benton Cook Jr. They remained united for 50 years until his death in 2006. To this union, four children were born: Benton III, Cassandra, Gregory, and Aleta. Gladys was a doting mother, leaving for work early in the morning but making sure that her children had breakfast to eat, and coming home every evening and making sure they had a wonderful dinner. Gladys made sure that her children enjoyed the best things in life that she and her husband could offer; each summer providing an escape from the treacherous westside of Chicago, to the summer vacation house, “Cook’s castle,” on the peaceful beaches of Union Pier, Michigan. Gladys was a staple for her children in supporting them in whatever activities and events that they participated in.

Gladys and her husband, Benton Cook Jr., and their entire family, joined Operation Breadbasket/PUSH under the leadership of Rev. Jesse Jackson in 1969. She was a member of the PUSH Usher Board and maintained a lifetime membership until her passing.

She worked for the Social Security Administration for 25 years, being supervisor for many of those years, and retired in 1988. She and her husband, Benton Jr., moved to Denver, Colorado to be with her mother, Mrs. Dora Hayes (better known as Big Momma).

Gladys joined Macedonia Baptist Church in 1991 and served as Chairperson of the Decoration Committee for several years. After her mother died in 2013, she moved her membership to Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church in Denver, CO, where she served on the Mother’s Board.

She put her fashion design skills to work after her retirement by making wedding gowns, bridesmaids’, and prom dresses. She became a wedding coordinator and served many wedding couples. Her gifts continue to extend to modeling; she modeled at one of the major Boutiques in Denver, Colorado.

During her adult life, Gladys was united with her many siblings by her birth father, Seoilure; their names are as follows: Hubert, Berniece, Maureen, Seoilure Jr., Pearlie Mae, Cleather, Rochester, Sennie Mae, Eddie James, Harold Ellerson, Clarence Sr., Sally, James Wesley, Juanita, Lovella, Beverly, Arthur Sr., and Michael Anthony. She met many of her siblings at her father’s funeral. From that point on, she was a true and loving sister and well-loved by the siblings. She often told and showed much love to them. She showed up at many of their celebrations, crises, and funerals down through the years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather, husband, sons-in-law: David Williams, and Kraig Moore, eight brothers, five sisters, granddaughter Melania Cook, and one sister-in-law, Juanita Ellerson.
Mrs. Gladys Evelyn Ellerson Cook leaves to cherish her memory her children: Benton Cook III (Dorothy); Cassandra Cook (Craig deceased) Moore; Gregory Cook; Aleta (David deceased) William; 17 grandchildren: Benton’s — Tracy, Michael, Kesi, Kamoni, Kyndel, Alexander, Amanda, and Aquilla; Cassandra’s — Rasaan, Ayanna, and Geneva; Gregory’s — Osiris, Anna, and Nahshon; Aleta’s — Dante, Jahnte, and Tana; 26 great-grandchildren, eight (8) great-great-grandchildren; two brothers: Harold Ellerson and Frank (TD) Hayes; four sisters: Cleather Manning, Sally Ellerson, Juanita Richard, and Lovella Ellerson Reed (Curtis); two sisters-in-law: Jocelyn Ellerson and Annette Ellerson; her honorary daughter, Sherrelyn ( Damien) Hogan and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Gladys Evelyn Ellerson Cook, in her 92 years of life, lived life to its fullest. She spent her existence doing the things she loved and enjoyed: traveling, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and collaborating with the community, until her health failed. She left no regrets because she spent her life fully, with no apologies.

Mrs. Cook's funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2700 W. Vandalia Road, Greensboro, NC 27407. Family visitation will be held at 12:30 p.m.